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Akure, the Ondo State Capital, Friday, went agog as Arakunrin
Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN and Hon. Ajayi Agboola were sworn-in as the
sixth civilian governor and deputy governor of the State.
As early as 8.am, the Akure township stadium was already filled to
capacity as well-wishers, All Progressives Congress (APC) members,
associates, friends and family members thronged the stadium to witness
the epoch event.

Gov. Roitimi Akeredolu of Ondo State (L) takes Oath of Office
before the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice O. Sanda, during his
inauguration in Akure on Friday (24/2/17). With him is his wife, Betty
and their baby. 01593/24/2/2017/Timothy Adeogodiran/BJO/NAN

Different cultural groups, particularly Owo Cultural group, which is
the hometown of the new governor were already at the venue entertaining
the guests.
The arrival of the National leader of APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and
the former national carekater Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi ‎Akande
changed the atmosphere of the venue as they were celebrated by party
faithful.
Akeredolu’s aged mother, Grace was among those who graced her son’s inauguration ceremony.

Akeredolu, who arrived the venue at 11.18 a.m, with his wife, Betty
shortly after his deputy, Agboola was sworn-in by the Chief Judge of the
state, Justice Tayo Osoba, around 11.11 a.m greeted all the
dignitaries.
He immediately went straight to where all the national leaders of his party sat, removed his cap and hugged Tinubu.
He was given a guard of honour immediately he took the oath of office at exactly 11.35 a.m by Justice Osoba.
In his first address to the people of the state, Akeredolu ‎expressed
the determination of his administration to rescue the state from the
shackles of social economic doldrums.
When reading his speech titled “The Journey to Redemption” Akeredolu
acknowledged Tinubu and other leaders of his party for their efforts.
The new governor said his administration would adopt a collaborative
approach to get his programme done by ensuring that the government
engage with other segments of the public sector, as well as the private
sector in developing and implementing his ideas of transforming the
economy of the state within the shortest possible time.

Akeredolu, however, noted that an adequate focus on transforming the
current socio-economic status of the state will lead to substantial
Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.
He said, “‎humbled by the uncommon kindness of the Almighty God and
an unequivocal expression of preference by the good people of Ondo
State, exemplified by the victory of our great party at the last
gubernatorial election, I am extremely delighted to share with you all
the joy of this day of glory.We are grateful to Almighty God for
granting this state such a beautiful day and a beautiful moment like
this.
“I thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leader
of our great party, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, for his leadership
and unwavering stance to support what is just and noble. Today’s
celebration would, perhaps, have been impossible without his steely
disposition to always stand against all acts not in consonance with
decency, probity and justice.

“I thank the President of Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Speaker
of the House of Representatives Hon. Yakubu Dogara. I thank all APC
Governors who stood to be counted with us in our hour of need and other
eminent Nigerians too numerous to mention.
“An especial reverence must be reserved for our indefatigable party
chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, whose strict adherence to lofty
principles and doggedness laid the foundation for our resounding victory
at the polls. This exemplary leader behaved like a true elder, whose
sagely presence in the village square not only professed rectitude but
acted it, resolutely, affirming nobility of the human spirit. Our party
benefitted, tremendously, from his vast experience in public service. We
are eternally grateful. The verdict of history shall be kind to him.
“We express our profound appreciation to all the leaders of the
party, at the national, state, local government, ward and unit levels,
for their untiring and selfless efforts during the election.

A cross-section of traditional rulers at the inauguration of Gov. Rotimi
Akeredolu (SAN) of Ondo State, in Akure on Friday (24/2/17). 01598/24/2/2017/Timothy Adeogodiran/BJO/NAN

“May I also use this opportunity to pay tribute to those who have
served this state in this capacity, both living and departed, for their
invaluable contributions to the development of the state. On behalf of
our State, I pay tribute to Governor Olusegun Abdulrahman Mimiko for his
several years of service to Ondo State. I thank all our guests and
friends both far and near who have taken it upon themselves to be here
or sent words. I thank all citizens of Ondo state, particularly our
resilient youths and women.
“I come to you this day, with a message of hope, a clear agenda of
prosperity and a vision of life abundant. I believe the greatest
expression of faith in our ability is to be strong enough to look upon
our imperfections and decide that it is in our power to remake our
society to align with our highest ideals.
“We can rise out of this dust and build a new Ondo state where
honesty, prosperity and confidence can once again be our self-identity.
We can pull ourselves by the bootstraps and shake off our current
frustrations and disappointments. We must recognise the need for a
cohesive platform, indispensable to an effective and efficient
implementation of policies and programmes of both government and party,
respectively.

Gov. Roitimi Akeredolu of Ondo State (3rd, L); his wife Betty and
friends, celebrate during the Governor’s inauguration in Akure on Friday
(24/2/17). 01599/24/2/2017/Timothy Adeogodiran/BJO/NAN

“Divergence of opinions is integral to party politics. We are bound
to disagree as politicians but we must cast aside bitter recriminations
and destructive predilections. Democracy thrives on infinite
multiplicity of ideas. Popular participation is one of its fundamental
norms. The subordination of individual preferences for the collective
will is essential if we are to avoid anarchy. Party supremacy should be
respected at all times. This should not be difficult for us to accept if
we are truly desirous of bringing about positive change in the lives of
our people.
“We listened to the voices of our people in the course of our
campaigns to all the nooks and crannies of the state. We heard them loud
and clear through their votes. We witnessed, first hand, the deplorable
conditions under which they exist. To those who cast their ballots in
favour of our programmes, your trust is not misplaced. We are determined
to make the difference with the specific mandate of redemption
liberally handed over to us. Those who expressed other preferences are
no less patriotic.
” Before long their anxieties will be addressed, realistically. All
of us will be involved in the reconstruction project. The collective
interest of the state must be our paramount focus. Consequently,we stand
before you to pledge, with the guidance of God and our resolve not to
renege on our promise, that your welfare shall form the basis of all our
activities.

Gov. Roitimi Akeredolu of Ondo State (L) signs the register after taking
Oath of Office before the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice O. Sanda,
during his inauguration in Akure on Friday (24/2/17).01593/24/2/2017/Timothy Adeogodiran/BJO/NAN

“To achieve this, the main mission of our administration is therefore
to lead a patriotic, highly inspired and competent team to rescue the
ship of our state. We intend to help rebuild our economy, resuscitate
damaged infrastructure, restore hope and return our state to a
prosperous land. We are determined as an administration to break down
the barriers that have made stagnation possible. We will break down the
barriers to honest leadership, to comprehensive development, to physical
growth and social security.
“These we intend to do through the promotion of transparent
leadership, rule of law, extensive consultation, quality and accessible
public utilities and social security; all in a sustainable manner”.